One powerful way to start new churches is to have a whole group of people go through the Foundation Course (previous called the Apprenticeship) together. The goals of this Course are to help people learn how to listen to their own hearts, to the hearts of those in their church and, most importantly, to God's heart.
We also want people to understand the principle of "smaller still". That is, that house church is not the smallest expression of church. The smallest expression is the CO2 (church of two) and house churches made up of multiple CO2s are much stronger and more dynamic than those that aren't.
By going through the Foundation Course together, a house church is birthed with people who are on the "same page" in terms of the values and practices. This really allows a house church to hit the ground running.
In the video below, Jim Mellon, network leader in central Texas, explains how the Course has been of value to his network.
Last week, I was in Dallas for the House2House Board meeting. I showed the our two introductory videos about the LK10 Apprenticeship to the Board and was very encouraged by their response. Tony Dale, one of the founders of House2House, shares his perspective below.
I am delighted to announce that we are now taking applications for the next session of the LK10 Apprenticeship. This is a unique 12 week learning experience designed to "Train Leaders Who Listen". That is, leaders (whether formal or informal) who desire to learn how to better listen to their own hearts, to the hearts of those around them and, most importantly, to God's heart.
Jim Mellon, long time house church leader and one of the founders of House2House Ministries, recently said, "The Apprenticeship is the most important step forward for the house church movement that I've seen in a long time."
Here's the process for applying...
Step One: Watch the video below to see if this is something you are interested in.
Step Two: Email me at DenverWH@aol.com and say, "Tell me more about the Apprenticeship". I'll send you a link to a 24 minute video that you need to watch and an application form. (The video is thorough and detailed because we want you to be clear about what is involved in this commitment.)
Step Three: If the Lord gives you the green light, fill out the application form and send it to me. DenverWH@aol.com We will get back to you as soon as possible to let you know which cohort you are in (assuming there is space).
Step Four: The Apprenticeship begins on Sunday, Jan. 30.
We are anticipating 6-7 cohorts (12 individuals/households in each). Many of these cohorts are already almost filled. So, we encourage you to move quickly if you sense the Lord is directing you to be a part.
Once you've watched the two videos, shoot me an email if there are other questions that you have.
In the Luke Ten Community, we have a deep conviction that mission and ministry of all kinds flow from our listening to God. This is based on God's prevenience. That is, that He is always at work before we come on the scene. Our job is not to "make something happen" but to see how He wants us to join Him in what He is doing.
In this video, Robbie James, who is both a church planter and a hospital chaplain in Brighton (CO), shares an experience of God's guidance as he cared for a dying patient.
